Tag: Prepping Basics

Marti’s Corner – 161
Hi Everyone,

NOTES:

** Three or four earthquakes in Pasadena. Nothing major. But it’s a good time to talk to your family about “What to Do in an Earthquake.” At Rivcoready.org there is a lot of good information about disaster preparedness. If you click on the Earthquake tab, you get this: Earthquakes | County of Riverside Emergency Management Department

It’s also a good time to make sure you can turn off the gas at the meter.

Do you have lanterns? Flashlights? Outside solar lights you can bring in? Can you cook something without using your stove?

Knowing what to do beforehand eliminates a lot of worry.

** As much as possible, try not to let your gas get under 1/2 tank.

** Here is a good place to start if you do NOT have an evacuation kit: Build A Kit | Ready.gov

** Many of us are still thinking 72 hour kits. After experiencing firsthand the aftermath and recovery process during the chain of hurricanes in Florida in 2004, I’m convinced we need to encourage people to be able to be on their own for a minimum of 3-4 weeks! –Ken, Director of Emergency Operations Center, Sandy, Utah

GARDEN HAPPENINGS:

** Looks like we might be getting some relief from the 100’s around here. I still have the shade cloth on. Some of my determinate tomatoes are empty now. I might just pull them out. Others still have a tomato here and there waiting to ripen.

Hang in there. The beans are up, and I’ve already used some Sluggo Plus for the roly polies that are eating them!

Some BIG critter got to another tomato. This one was in a mesh bag, but whatever it was opened the bag and ate most of the tomato. Grrr.

THIS WEEK’S PURCHASE: oatmeal – 1 48 oz. container of oats will last 2 people for one month – depending, of course, on how often you eat it.

I remember my grandma telling me that they ate oatmeal every day during the depression, often for dinner.

There are so many benefits to eating oatmeal:
- lowers blood sugar
- reduces risk of heart disease
- improves intestinal functioning
- boosts immunity
- reduces inflammation
- contains magnesium, iron, phosphorus, zinc, folate, copper and vitamins B-1 and B-5
I like to use regular oats for cereal, and quick oats for cookies. I just store them in the cardboard containers they come in. Unless you have some BIG critters to worry about, they will keep fine. Sometimes I will buy oats at Winco in the bulk section and refill my open container. It’s cheaper in the bulk section.

MISC. PURCHASE: batteries for flashlights.

Check the flashlights in the car, in the nightstand, wherever you have them stashed. Make a list of what you need and go get them.

FOOD STORAGE RECIPES

Just for fun, I thought I’d google “Recipes from Food Storage” Here is what I found:

Recipe Index – My Food Storage Cookbook

Food Storage Recipes

Recipes Using Your Food Storage

Cooking from long-term food storage – Backwoods Home Magazine

Favorite recipes that only use shelf stable/frozen/long term food storage? : r/preppers (I didn’t see any recipes here, just a list of ideas from different people)

And much more!!!

Here’s one from Food Storage Made Easy:

Garden Chicken Stew

Combine:
- 1/2 c. dehydrated carrots
- 1/2 c. dehydrated onions
- 1/2 c. dehydrated green peppers
- 1/2 c. dehydrated celery
- 1/2 c. dehydrated potato dices
- 2 TB Italian seasoning
- 3 TB chicken bouillon
- 9-10 c. water
Boil for 10-15 min.

Add: 1/2 c. orzo or any small pasta

1 pint chicken (2 cans) with the juice

Boil 5-10 minutes more

Personal Note: Generally it takes my dehydrated foods LONGER to get tender. I’d cook the first part for at least 1/2 hour and then check them.

Here’s one from myfoodstoragecookbook.com

It says it serves 10, so I’ll need to really cut that down.

Chicken Stuffing Casserole
- 2 cans water chestnuts, sliced – spread in the bottom of a greased 13 X 9 casserole dish.
- 2 c. freeze dried celery or 2 c. fresh celery – layer next
- 3 cans of chicken drained – next layer
- 1 c. mayonnaise
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
Mix mayo and soup and spread over chicken.

dried onion flakes – sprinkle on top

In a small pan
- 1/4 c. butter – melt
- 2 pkgs Stove Top stuffing (chicken flavor)
- 1 can chicken broth
Stir to heat on the stove for a few minutes, and then spread over the casserole.

Bake 30-40 min at 350˚

Marti Shelley
August 23, 2024
Marti’s Corner – 160

**Here is a list of 15 items you can easily store that you may not have considered. 1. Disposable lighters 2. Toilet paper 3. Trash bags 4. Manual can openers 5. Vinegar 6. Duct tape 7. Baking soda 8. Garden seeds 9. Cast iron cookware 10. Books and educational materials 11. Manual tools 12. Fishing gear 13. Solar chargers 14. Bleach 15. Hand-crank radio

Wondering why you might need these things? Watch here: 15 Things YOU NEVER Think To STOCKPILE But Should!

GARDEN HAPPENINGS:

Not much is happening in the garden. Mostly I’m just trying to keep everything from dying! The tomatoes are waning — just a few need to ripen. I see flowers on the bell peppers.

I finally dug up a bag of potatoes. I’m always surprised at how FEW potatoes there are. Planting, fertilizing, watering for such a small harvest. But…. I’m practicing.

I’ll be having some of these for dinner. The others will go upstairs, on the guest bed, on a towel, and covered by another towel for a week or so to let them develop a thicker skin for storing – at least until we can eat them. DON’T WASH THEM. Store them dry.

THIS WEEK’S PURCHASE: milk

When was the last time you bought powdered milk? It has a shorter shelf life than wheat, sugar and beans. You SHOULD be rotating your milk like everything else. (okay, I’m totally NOT doing that – but I SHOULD!) Otherwise, if you don’t rotate it, you’ll eventually have to just throw it away! I think I have #10 cans of milk that are dated 1994. That makes them 32 years old!!! Even if they did taste fine, they probably wouldn’t have much nutritional value. But, as a wise woman said to me once, don’t throw them away. Give THOSE away to people who come begging for food.

Powdered milk today is NOT like it was in the 70’s. It has a much better taste and texture. It is NOT cheaper than buying milk at the store. But like all things I store, if there is NO milk at the store, I’d really like something to have on my cereal!

Recommended: 4 lb. per person per month. If you buy pouches of milk at the Home Storage Center, that would be 2 1/2 pouches per month per person. Milk is $6 per pouch. Five pouches = $30. That’s milk, for a month, for 2 people. Just about the cost of lunch at McDonalds!!!

Find a location here:

Home Storage Center Locations

MISC. PURCHASE: hand crank emergency radio

Like everything, there are varying prices. This one is under $20. There are solar cells on the top, but I suspect it takes many hours to charge from the solar.

Emergency Hand Crank Radio Emgykit – 7400mWh AM/FM/NOAA Solar Hand Crank Emergency Radio with LED Flashlights for Emergencies

FOOD STORAGE RECIPES

Lucky Pancakes

2 c. whole wheat flour

1/2 tsp salt

2 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 c. oil

2 c. buttermilk

2 eggs separated – beat whites separately, and then fold in.

French Pancakes

My kids call these Grandma Pancakes.

We cook them for special occasions (Easter morning, Christmas morning, etc.) AND, of course, Grandma makes them every time she babysits overnight.

It’s a “per person” recipe. For Craig and me, I make 1 1/2 times the recipe.

For one person:

2 eggs – I put them in the blender and mix

1/2 c. milk – add and blend

2 TB sugar

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 c. flour

    Blend. I do NOT make paper thin layers in the frying pan, although you could. I just fill the bottom of the pan with a layer of batter. Turning them is a trick because they are so big. When they’re done, I put butter and syrup down the middle and roll them up with a fork. They are SOOO good! My dad used to make them for us and top them with strawberries and whipped cream.

Granola

This is my favorite granola recipe. It’s so crunchy and yummy. This recipe makes 6 c.

3 1/2 c. oats

1/2 c. chopped almonds

1/2 c. wheat germ

1/2 c. sunflower seeds

      You can get all this in the bulk section at my local Winco. Actually, you can add any type of nuts or seeds you want.

      Mix

In a separate small pan

1/4 c. honey

1/4 c. vegetable or olive oil

2 TB brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla

    Heat to blend, but don’t boil! Add to the oats.

Spread out on an oiled cookie sheet. Bake 325˚ for 20-25 minutes. Stir once or twice while cooking. Remove.

Add 1 1/2 c. raisins or any other dried fruit you like.

Marti Shelley

August 9, 2024
Marti’s Corner – 159

Hi Everyone,

Here is the email I received this week from Utah State University:

When you think about food storage, you might picture a large walk-in pantry with immaculately stacked mason jars and carefully curated collections of canned goods. But for most people, this type of food storage isn’t always attainable. Instead, here are some quick and easy ways to build a food storage that can be used when an emergency arises.

Slowly buy extra food each week or month. Set aside part of your grocery budget for food storage. Even an extra $20-$50 a month will go a long way.

Prioritize simple, ready-to-eat foods. Stock up on foods that you and your family enjoy. Choose items that are high in calories and good nutrition.

Remember the manual can opener and scissors. What good is stored food if you can’t easily access it?

Avoid storing foods that make you thirsty. Choose salt-free crackers, whole-grain cereals, and canned foods with high liquid content. You can also select high-calorie, foods that aren’t as likely to provoke thirst, such as peanut butter, jelly, food bars, and trail mix.

Don’t forget water. Recommendations for water storage include ½ gallon to 1 gallon for drinking per person per day with an additional ½ gallon for personal hygiene and dishwashing.

You can read more about emergency food storage basics in our Food Storage for Emergency Guide here. Our canning website has more helpful information on canning and food preservation. Our goal is to provide home canning resources so that your experience is satisfying and assures you that the food you preserve at home is safe and of the highest quality possible.

You can also take our Preserve the Harvest online canning course to brush up on your food preserving skills or learn some new ones.

Thanks!

The USU Extension Food Preservation Team

The links should work. In fact, I downloaded the 120 page Food Storage Guide and it is wonderful.

** For all you “canners” out there ( I know there are a few of you), check out this site: 100 Delicious Canning Recipes You Have To Try

** So, although I have collected several pieces of cast iron, I have yet to cook in it. Nonetheless, hope springs eternal and I keep collecting information like this: How to Cook Anything in a Dutch Oven. This is pretty comprehensive.

GARDEN HAPPENINGS

I continue to collect tomatoes as they ripen. I have about a dozen pint jars of tomato sauce. Yes, you can buy them same tomato sauce for about $.85 so it is totally NOT worth it to grown and can them yourself.!!! But, I look at gardening as a giant learning curve that I’m slowly climbing year after year. Plus, I LOVE the taste of ripe tomatoes, right from the garden. Sooooo good!!!

I think I have at least 9 zucchini plants and have not had one zucchini. Are they too crowded? Is it too hot? Are they not getting pollinated? And now I’m battling powdery mildew.

I pulled out all the beans. They were so infested with spider mites they were unsalvageable. I replanted two empty bags with beans and am just waiting for them to sprout.

I think I got maybe 4 cucumbers before the heat set in, and those plants have spider mites as well. Evil little devils.

I think this week I’ll harvest all the potatoes. Why not?

THIS WEEK’S PURCHASE: dry beans

Make sure you have a variety of dry beans. Without animal sources to provide protein in your diet, beans step up and fill in the deficiency. Combined with grains or other beans, they are your source for protein.

There are two ways to cook beans:

1. Overnight soak – Soak beans for 8 hours or overnight. Drain and discard the water, and rinse the beans. This method is better than no soaking, but it doesn’t remove the complex sugars as well as the short-soak/boil method.

2. Short-soak/boal method – Boil beans in water for 3 minutes. Cover and set aside for an hour. Drain and discard the water and rinse the beans. This method reduces hard to digest complex sugars by 80%. This cuts down on intestinal gas.

Either way, after soaking cook beans in fresh water. Use 3-4 c. water for each cup of dry beans. Don’t add salt or any flavors until the beans are cooked.

1 c. dry beans = 2 1/2 c. cooked beans

Old Beans? I think if we have to dig out our stored beans, we’re going to find some of them are VERY old!!! As beans age, the skin becomes tough and the beans will not soak up the water. Just crack them. You can use a grinder on the largest setting, or use a blender with a pulse button, or put several cups of beans in a bag and smack them with the side of a hammer.

Don’t mix old beans with new beans.

MISC. PURCHASE: – gasoline

Consider getting a 5 gallon can and filling it with gasoline.

Use an approved safety can. Avoid glass or plastic bottles. Leave some room in the container for expansion.

Store gasoline in a detached shed or garage, at least 50 feet away from ignition sources. Keep it away from your house, open flames, or direct sunlight.

Here are some other tips from Exxon: Gasoline Safety and Fuel Storage Tips | Exxon and Mobil

When we decided to do this, our thoughts were that if we needed to evacuate, we wanted to make sure we had gas! We try to rotate the gas each 6 months. We fill our tanks with stored gas, then refill the containers.

FOOD STORAGE RECIPES:

Baked Beans

From The Pioneer Cookbook by Miriam Barton

2 c. navy or great northern beans – soak and rinse (see directions above). Then cook in water over medium heat for 1-2 hours until tender.

Preheat oven to 325˚.

Scoop beans into a large baking dish, reserving the broth and add:

1/4 lb bacon diced
1 onion finely chopped
3 TB molasses
2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp ground mustard
1/2 c. ketchup
2 TB Worcestershire sauce
1/4 c. brown sugar

Cover and bake 3-4 hours, stirring occasionally. Add more bean broth if needed to keep the beans saucy.

Claudine’s Baked Beans

From Favorite Recipes, Winchester Ward Relief Society

For those of you who don’t particularly want to soak beans.

2 28-oz cans Bush’s pork ‘n’ beans
1/2 lb. cooked bacon, crumbled
1/2 onion, finely chopped
1 1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. catsup
1 TB yellow mustard
1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce

Mix all ingredients in a large pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover, stir frequently for 1 hour.

Red Beans and Rice

From The Pioneer Cookbook by Miriam Barton

Great to cook after a ham dinner.

1 lb. dried kidney beans – soaked and rinsed
4 c. water
ham bone (optional)
1 onion diced
2 celery stalks, sliced
1 green or red chili pepper, stem and seeds removed, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 tsp salt

     Add all ingredients in a large stockpot. Cover and cook on medium heat for 3-4 hours, stirring occasionally.

1 1/2 c. dried rice

    Stir in for the last 30 minutes. Add more water if it cooks out before the rice is soft. Before serving, remove the ham bone.

Marti

August 7, 2024
Marti’s Corner – 156

NOTES:

** Have you ever used a clothesline – really??? Well, I have. And, depending on the electricity, you may have to do it as well. I read through this list of do’s and don’ts for drying clothes on a clothesline. 21 Tips for Using a Clothesline Like a Pro

** Want something to do with your kids this summer??? How about candle-making? How to Make a 100-Hour Candle. Kris and the team pushed the Emergency Candle out to 300 hours in this video – How To Make a 300-Hour Candle.

I remember we dipped candles in 5th or 6th grade. We used the old-fashioned method of dipping, letting dry, and dipping again. It seemed to take forever (probably several days).

We did purchase some 100 hour candles CandleLife Emergency Survival Candle 115 Hours Long Lasting Burning Time : Sports & Outdoors, and have saved candles over the years. Also, we have lanterns and have purchased extra wicks. Then we bought some outdoor solar lights. They are several years old now, and you HAVE to replace the batteries each year (or recharge them). Super easy to do, but kind of a pain. The lights create the solar energy, and put it into the batteries. At night, the lights run off the batteries.

GARDEN HAPPENINGS:

Everything is covered with shade cloth!!!

I have three buckets of beans. Two of them are bush beans and one of those has produced A LOT of beans!!! I cut the ends off, blanche for just a few minutes, vacuum seal in small portions, and put in the freezer. The second tub of bush beans is right next to the first one. I got one picking of beans, and now I just have a lot of leaves – no beans, no flowers. The last tub is pole beans. This tub gets the most sun. I think I’ve picked maybe 6 beans from these 10 plants. Ugh.

The tomatoes are finally starting to ripen.

These are Bush Steak tomatoes. It’s the first time I’ve tried them and I think they will be my go-to tomatoes from here on out. The cherry tomatoes are ripening, and they are so handy for salads or tacos. And, I like fresh garden tomatoes on my scrambled eggs!!

Meanwhile, I’m spraying for blight, and for spider mites at least once a week.

THIS WEEK’S PURCHASE: jam or jelly

One year’s supply of sugar is about 60 pounds per person. This can include jam and jelly, white and brown sugar, syrup, and honey. The first time I tried making jam, Craig announced that he preferred “store-bought” jam. I figured I was off the hook and just started buying jam – specifically strawberry jam. I’m now finishing up a jar I bought in 2016. Still good. The strawberries have darkened somewhat, but the taste is the same. Luckily, we have had a good crop of blackberries this year, and I was able to “put up” over 20 1/2 pint jars of jam. Craig really likes it. Between having jam on toast and sandwiches and giving it away, I’m not sure how long it will last. My dad said that during the Depression, he remembers many nights of bread and jam for dinner.

MISC. PURCHASE: medical gloves and hand sanitizer

Now that everything is back on the shelves, it wouldn’t hurt to pick up some boxes of medical gloves and hand sanitizer.

FOOD STORAGE RECIPES:

Mosquito Bites

This year I’m growing yarrow. So far, all I have is leaves. BUT, I watched a video about yarrow being a natural mosquito deterrent. Just pull the small leaves off of a stem, crush them in your fingers, and rub them on your arms. Now, each day when I go out to work in the garden, that’s what I do!

IF you get a mosquito bite that is driving you crazy, you can get relief with this: 3 parts charcoal (I’ve used charcoal right out of the fire, and have also bought it on Amazon), 1 part psyllium powder (you can get this at Winco in the bulk section). Add a tiny bit of water to make a paste. Roll it out between two sheets of plastic wrap. Then tear off a little piece and place it on the bite and cover with a small bandaid. The charcoal will help draw out the poison. If you keep this plastic in the fridge, it will feel soothing as it does its stuff. I usually make a small batch every year.

Chicken Pot Pie

I’ve made this for years with deboned chicken, celery, carrots, peas, whatever. I usually just make a white sauce and add salt and pepper. Well…….I found this recipe. It’s basically the same thing, BUT it adds some spices to the sauce and wow, it makes all the difference. Craig ate his whole serving! I bought these 5 in pie dishes, and this recipe made two of them and one smaller 3 inch container. So…..probably a 9 X 13? Not sure.

Saute:

1 small onion, chopped (I used dehydrated)

1 medium carrot, chopped (I cut mine in half lengh wise and and sliced)

1 c. diced potatoes (I used one large russet potato)

1/4 c. chopped celery (I used dehydrated)

1/4 c. butter – saute the vegetables in butter. I should have rehydrated the celery first, because when everything else was done, the celery was still a little crunchy. That took extra cooking.

1/3 c. flour

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp dried parsley flakes

1/4 tsp dried rosemary, crushed (I didn’t have this, so I used fresh rosemary from my bush outside)

1/4 tsp rubbed sage

1/4 tsp pepper

     Mix the dry ingredients and add to the vegetables. It makes a dry mess.

1 c. chicken broth – add.

1 c. milk

     Now you should have a nice gravy

2 c. cooked chicken in cubes, or shredded or you can use turkey

1/2 c. frozen peas

         Add everything, stir, let simmer for 5 minutes or so. Put in a casserole dish or divide in individual pie pans.

1 sheet refrigerated pie pastry – yes, I used the store pastry. I just didn’t want to be bothered with making my own this time.

Bake 375˚ for 18-22 minutes. (Mine took the whole time)

Those few spices made all the difference!

Berry Granola Bars

1/4 c. butter, softened

1/4 c. brown sugar

       Cream until light and fluffy

2 etts – add and mix

4 tsp corn syrup

2 tsp molasses

1/4 tsp vanilla

        Combine and mix

1 1/3 c. old fashioned oats

6 TB flour

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp baking soda

     Mix dry ingredients and add to the creamed mix. Stir well.

1/2 c. chopped pecans

1/4 c. dried blueberries

1/4 c. dried cranberries

      (go ahead and substitute your favorite kind of nut and fruit)

Press into a greased 8X8 pan. Bake at 350˚ for 15-20 minutes or until the center is set and the edges are browned. Cook on a wire rack completely.

Creamy Poppy-Seed Dressing

At several dollars for a bottle of dressing, you can make your own for much less

1/3 c. mayonnaise

1/4 c. 2% milk (We drink full-octane milk over here so I’ll probably use that)

3 TB sugar

4 tsp apple cider vinegar

2 tsp poppy seeds

    In a small bowl, whisk the dressing ingredients.

Marti

July 11, 2024
Marti’s Corner – 149

NOTES:

**I watched a great video from my friend, Kris, over at CityPrepping.com. He shows you how easy it is to make cheese: How to Make Cheese with 3 Simple Ingredients

** I am a big food-rotator. I just opened a can of refried beans dated 2017 and it’s perfectly fine. My peanut butter was purchased in Aug, 2020, also fine. MOST canned goods will last for years and years. Cold cereal–not so much.

GARDEN HAPPENINGS:

**I’ve already started pruning my tomatoes: This gardener has a good explanation of how to do this for the different types of tomatoes. (1004) How to Prune Tomatoes for Maximum Yield and Plant Health

** These two bean plants were planted at the exact same time.

In the garden they are only about 3 feet apart. So why the disparity? Well… the beans on the left get a lot more sun. The beans on the right get morning sun, but the house shades this part of the garden after about 2:30. When there are morning clouds, the sunlight can be even more reduced. They’ll eventually come up, but it really DOES make a difference WHERE you plant things in your yard.

** Gardening mistakes happen to everyone:

I started these two zucchini plants indoors. They sprouted and grew so fast, that I didn’t get them out in the sun fast enough. You can see that the poor, drooping plant just was not able to develop a stem that could hold up the plant. It will not recover. I can transplant the other one as soon as I have a space in the garden for it.

THIS WEEK’S PURCHASE: sugar

I had a nice stockpile of sugar. But when the price went from $1.50 for 4 pounds to over $4 for the same amount, I quit buying it. Yikes! Even at the Home Storage Center, a #10 can of sugar (5.6 pounds) is $8.33.

4 pounds for $3.96 = about $1 per pound

5.6 pounds for $8.33 is about $1.49 per pound.

I’ve decided the price is NOT coming down, and I’ve used up most of my stockpile. So, even at these higher prices, I’m going to have to start stocking up again.

Watch for bargains. Check sugar every week. Consider getting a larger bag to save money, and repackaging it in jars, or tupperware, or mylar bags, or whatever.

I figure we are going to need some comfort food to get through hard times ahead and cookies will do that!

You do NOT have to vacuum seal sugar, or use oxygen packets. If your sugar clumps, just sift it. That’s what I do.

MISC. PURCHASE:

So, after encouraging everyone to get a supply of batteries, I did NOT do it, and in the middle of the night the fire alarm started to beep. This is a beep that happens about every 25-30 seconds and will NOT STOP until you unhook the battery that is dying. Ugh. By some miracle it stopped after about 10 minutes and I was able to get some sleep.

This week: Safety Pins

I suggest a large container of every size of safety pins.

Put some in a small baggie in your 72 hour kit. Put a few in the glove compartment of each car. Throw a few into your purse. Such a great invention!

FOOD STORAGE RECIPES:

Cheesy Italian Shells

Make the sauce:

1/4 c. instant powdered milk

1 TB cornstarch

1 TB Italian seasoning

1 tsp onion powder

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

     Whisk together and add 3 1/3 c. hot water. Mix to dissolve milk

Add 1 1/2 c. pasta shells to the water.

Also add: 1 pint ground beef drained

1/2 c. stewed tomatoes

     Heat with the lid on for 12-20 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes.

Top with 3/4 c. cheddar cheese. If using freeze dried cheese, add while cooking. If fresh, add after.

Creamy Chicken Enchiladas

Homemade tortillas**

Sauce:

2 cans Cream of Chicken soup

1/2 c sour cream powder

1 7-oz can diced green chilies

1/2 can evaporated milk

1/2 c. cheese

Filling: canned chicken, spanish rice, refried beans, etc.

In a pan, pour a layer of sauce, add a layer or tortillas, add filling and top with sauce. Repeat 2 or 3 times.

Bake 30-40 minutes at 350˚

** There are lots of recipes for homemade tortillas. I am NOT good at this, but I have tried it a few times. Here are two different recipes:

Tortillas #1

4 c. flour

3 tsp salt

3 tsp baking powder

4 TB lard or shortening – cut in

2-3 c. warm water

Tortillas #2

2 c. flour

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp baking powder

1 TB shortening – cut in. Add 3/4 c. water. Knead.

Roll out to 7 inches diameter. Cook 2 minutes each side. Keep dough covered with towels.

Pancakes

(from the kitchen of Shemay Matson)

In a blender: add

2 c. water

2 eggs

2 TB oil

2 tsp vinegar

   Blend 1 minute

Add:

2/3 c. nonfat powdered milk

    Blend 1 minute

Add:

1 c. white flour

1 c. whole wheat flour

2 TB sugar

2 TB baking powder

      Remember you can buy whole wheat flour and nonfat powdered milk at Winco in the bulk section so you don’t have to open an entire #10 can.

Marti Shelley

May 2, 2024
Marti’s Corner – 147

Hi Everyone,

NOTES:

**The following is from Survival Mom by Lisa Bedford.

     When the toilet won’t flush, or when flushing toilets aren’t within driving distance, having a good, sturdy shovel on hand would be a good idea.

1) Dig a hole. In fact, you can dig a trench and heap the dirt upon the side. As you do your business in one end of the trench, you cover it up with dirt.

2) Make a substitute toilet with a 5 gallon bucket. Line the bucket with 2 heavy-duty trash bags. Commercial liners specifically designed for the purpose can be purchased also.Reliance Products Double Doodie | Portable Toilet Waste Bags | No Gel | 6 Pack, Black, (2683-13) : Pet Supplies

3) Snap on the toilet lid. Triptips: Bucket Toilet Seat (I think I bought mine at Walmart.)

4) Sprinkle a cup or two of kitty litter in the bottom of the bag and after each “Number 2”.

5) In addition, make a solution of 1 part bleach and 10 parts water. Put it in a squirt bottle. Spray on each “Number 2” to kill bacteria.

6) If your own bathroom is available, you can set up a similar system by first emptying the toilet bowl of as much water as possible. Then, line the bowl with trash bags and follow the same steps listed above. Be sure and keep the lid closed and use air freshener!

7) Each day, these emergency toilets will have to be emptied by sealing the inside bag with a plastic tie and taking it outside. So many diseases can originate in human waste. If you have to bury the bags on your property, bury it deep enough that rodents, insects or other animals can’t dig it up – 2 to 3 feet deep.

The days of tossing the chamber pots into the streets were the days of typhoid fever, cholera, and the plague.

** Quick List of Non-edibles you should think about storing

Bars of soap

Ziploc bags of all sizes

Rope for clothesline and clothespins

Tylenol, Tylenol PM

Multivitamins

Duct tape

Hydrogen peroxide

Bleach

Feminine products

Toilet paper

    Start with 3 months worth. Add more to make 6 months. Add more to make 1 year.

GARDEN HAPPENINGS:

* I went out last night about 8:30 to make sure I hadn’t left the water on in the garden. I took a flashlight and EWWW, I found slugs and earwigs and roly polies EVERYWHERE! I took out a box of tissues because there’s no way I was going to touch them. EWWW. But picking them up in a tissue wasn’t much better. Craig finally came out (I think he heard me making disgusting noises) and offered to put on a glove, put them in a garbage bag, and save the remainder of the kleenex. We debugged the whole garden, and when I went back to the beginning to get the kleenex, there were MORE! Eww Eww Eww! Luckily, I have some Sluggo Plus. You can get it at Armstrong Nursery, but I’m not sure about Lowes or Home Depot. It is organic, and kills slugs, snails, earwigs, AND roly polys. You only need a little sprinkle. I put some in EVERY grow bag! According to the container, it is supposed to work even if it gets wet. (Post Script: I went out the next night and still found a few slugs and roly polys, but not NEAR as many.)

* What can you plant in April? In my area you can plant–Cucumbers, pumpkins, zucchini, yellow squash and any other “warm weather” crop.

* In MY garden, the flowers on the orange tree are opening and I have bees! The beans that I planted a few weeks ago are finally popping up. I think the dirt is just now warming up for them.

I have this old wash tub that we drilled holes in. I planted beets one year and they didn’t do very well. I planted carrots last year and they grew SO Well!!! I decided to plant the whole thing in wildflowers this year. I’m excited to see them bloom.

The blueberries have baby berries. Once they begin to darken, I have to use bird netting to cover the bushes. One year, the birds stripped the entire bush in ONE day!

It’s so exciting to see the garden start to “come alive”.

THIS WEEK’S PURCHASE: peanut butter

“Peanut butter is loaded with so many good, health-promoting nutrients, including vitamin E, magnesium, iron, selenium and vitamin B6. Research shows that people who regularly eat nuts and nut butter, including peanut butter, are less likely to develop heart disease and type 2 diabetes.” The Healthy Perks of Peanut Butter | Denver Health Medical Plan

MISC. PURCHASE:

I don’t use Chapstick. I prefer Carmex lip balm. This isn’t important. What IS important, is that you can become addicted to lip balm. The Truth About Your Lip Balm Addiction | Epiphany Dermatology

So, I don’t use it very often, BUT I do use it at night just before bed. Dry lips are one of those things that will keep me awake. It’s a good idea to keep some type of lip balm in the glove box of the car. AND it’s a REALLY good idea to keep something in your 72 hour kit. HOWEVER, I recommend NOT storing a tube of chapstick in the car–it will melt and make a mess. Better to get a tube of something.

FOOD STORAGE RECIPES:

Rice-A-Roni

     My grandkids LOVE rice-a-roni meatballs.

1 lb. ground beef

1 egg

rice from the Beef rice-a-roni boxes.

     Mix together and make walnut-size balls. Brown in a little oil. Drain oil. Add the water and sauce packet. Simmer for 20 minutes (whatever the directions call for).

In an emergency situation, you may not have fresh ground beef. You can still make this, but add 1 jar of ground beef.

Add corn, small pieces of diced carrots, or whatever else sounds good.

You can also make this with Chicken Rice-A-Roni and a can of chicken.

Homemade Granola Bars

2 1/2 c. old fashioned rolled oats

1/2 c. whole almonds, coarsely chopped

     Put on a cookie sheet and bake for 5 minutes at 350˚. Stir and bake another 3-5 minutes until lightly toasted. Transfer to a large bowl.

In a saucepan:

1/3 c. honey

1/4 c. butter

1/4 c. packed light brown sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla

1/4 tsp salt

   Heat until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves. Pour the butter mix into the bowl with the oats and almonds. Cool for 5 minutes.

1/2 dried cranberries, coarsely chopped

1/4 c. mini chocolate chips

  (Don’t worry if the chocolate melts. It helps hold the bars together.)

Transfer to a 8 or 9 inch square pan lined with aluminum foil or parchment paper and sprayed lightly with oil.

Scatter another 2 TB of chocolate chips and press in with a rubber spatula. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours. Remove the block of granola mixture and peel away the foil or parchment. Cut into 12 bars.

Easy Split Pea, Lentil, and Grain Soup

1/2 c. alphabet macaroni

1/2 c. green and yellow split peas

1/2 c. lentils or red lentils

1/2 c. pearl barley

1/2 c. rice

3-4 bouillon cubes or 3-4 tsp bouillon granules or soup base

3-4 c. water.

Salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in a large pot. Bring water to a boil and reduce to simmer. Cook until tender, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Serves 6.

Optional: Add 1 can chicken, or 1 pint ground beef.

Marti

April 15, 2024
Marti’s Corner – 145

Hi Everyone,

NOTES:

**This is a great video about looking for and filtering water in an emergency. He compares the life straw to a Pur water bag and a Burkey filter. He cuts them apart to see what is inside them and lists pros and cons and prices. THEN he shows you how to make your own Berky filter for $60!!! AND, he shows you step by step, demonstrating each step. I can even follow these directions. Millions Will Die From This

GARDEN HAPPENINGS

Just about everything is planted in the garden. It’s still early for the tomatoes, but they are out there anyway. They won’t really grow much until the weather warms up. Same with the cucumbers. In fact, cucumbers like 80 degree weather. So, they are just hanging out. The peppers are still inside. I’m not even going to try with those.

I got 4 big pots of green beans planted. Hopefully it will stop raining soon and they can come up. I’ve found that the secret to beans is just keeping them alive while they are seedlings. Do whatever it takes to get them started! The lettuce and potatoes seem to like this weather.

THIS WEEK’S PURCHASE: wheat

Reactions to storing wheat include everything from:

I don’t like whole wheat bread, and I am allergic to gluten, to why am I storing something I will never eat?

For heaven’s sake, if you are not going to eat it, don’t store it!!!

BUT, here are my reasons for storing wheat.

1) it’s food

2) it’s nutritious

3) it stores for a long time

4) I like bread. period. Oh, and cake, and cookies and brownies!

I lived in China for a month during the summer of 2004, teaching school in Shanghai. The Chinese don’t have a lot of bread – mostly rice. After a week, I REALLY missed it. THEN, we found a Subway Sandwich place and started going there several times a week for our “bread” fix.

My brother, Michael, started making bread every other Saturday. Now, he makes one loaf of bread and one pan of cinnamon rolls. It’s one of his family traditions. He often gives the bread or rolls to another family. Okay, MOST of the rolls!

I actually have 2-3 recipes for bread that I like.

YOU should know how to make bread! Even if you only do it once a year! It’s not hard, but takes a little practice. Start with 1/2 white flour and 1/2 whole wheat. Switching to whole wheat suddenly can cause some stomach issues. Ease into it gradually. One hot loaf of bread right out of the oven will disappear in a matter of minutes.

Meanwhile, buy some wheat and store it. Even if YOU are not going to eat it, you might trade it for something else, or feed someone else.

I’ve listed some ways to cook and use wheat below.

MISC. PURCHASE: yeast

Keep it in the fridge and it will last at least a year. You CAN store yeast in the freezer in an airtight container (vacuum sealed!). A lot of people do this, then keep a smaller jar in the fridge to work from.

If you get brave, you can learn to use sourdough yeast starter. It will last for many, many years, but must be used or replenished weekly to keep its effectiveness. I think my starter is about 10 years old, and I’d be happy to share.

At first, I experimented with bread until Craig would eat it, now I just use it for waffles once a week and then refill it.

FOOD STORAGE RECIPES:

Whole Wheat Cereal

recipe from Simple Recipes Using Food Storage from Cedar Fort, Utah

I actually made this once. It wasn’t my favorite, but if I were very hungry, I’m sure it would taste delicious!

Slow Cooker Method:

1 c. whole wheat kernels (you can get these in the bulk section at Winco so you don’t have to open one of your #10 cans)

2 1/2 c. water

1/2 tsp salt

    Combine in a slow cooker and cook for 6-8 hours or overnight on low. Add milk and a sweetener. Add fruit and nuts and whatever else sounds good.

Thermos Method:

( I did this, too, and it really worked!)

1 c. whole wheat kernels

2 c. boiling water

1/2 tsp salt

    Combine in a quart-sized thermos, screw the top tightly and leave overnight.

Wheat Treats

Soak the wheat berries until triple in size by either

1) soak for 24 hours, changing the water once or twice

2) boil for 30 minutes, then let the wheat sit for an hour or two

Drain and rinse. Roll the wheat on a cloth or paper towel to remove any water.

In a heavy kettle, heat vegetable oil to 360˚. Put a small amount of wheat (1 1/2 c.) in a wire basket or strainer and deep fry in hot oil for 90 seconds. Drain on absorbent paper.

When all the wheat is fried, put it on a cookie sheet.

Make a honey glaze:

1 TB water

1 c. honey

    Boil to a hard-crack stage (300-310˚) Pour over the wheat.

Cracked Wheat

Cracked wheat is a wheat berry that has been broken into small pieces. It has the same nutritional value as whole wheat. Most wheat mills or grinders have a setting for making cracked wheat. Only grind the wheat you will be using. Any extra cracked wheat should be placed in a sealed container and stored in the freezer. Somewhere I read that you can put the wheat in a baggie and just run over it with the car! Or pound it with a hammer or rolling pin. That might be a good way to take out some frustrations!

Cooked Cracked Wheat

Makes 2 1/2 c. cooked cracked wheat.

3 c. liquid (water, fruit juice, broth)

1 c. cracked wheat

1 tsp salt

Combine and bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat and simmer 20-30 min or until tender. Use fruit juice if wheat is to be used in a fruit salad; water or broth for main dishes, bread, or cereal.

For cereal, add milk and sweetener.

Michael’s Bread

1/3 c. vegetable oil

1/3 c. honey

1 1/2 TB sugar

3/4 TB salt

     Add to the bowl.

In a large measuring cup

2 1/2 c. warm water

2 TB yeast

    Let rest for 5 minutes

Add the yeast and water to the oil,

5 c. flour

2 TB vital wheat gluten

   Add. (You can also get vital wheat gluten in the bulk section at Winco)

Slowly add an additional 1 – 1/2 c. flour (as needed) NEVER more than 7 1/4 c.

Knead 8 minutes

Let rise

Form loaves

Let rise

Bake 350˚ for 30-40 min.

     If you have never made bread, just watch a video or two

(How to Make THE BEST Homemade Bread |

Homemaking Basics

How to make a loaf of bread from scratch (Beginner friendly!)

Marti Shelley

April 1, 2024
Marti’s Corner – 144

Hi Everyone,

NOTES:

** I made one of these once, when I was teaching Cub Scouts I think. Whether homemade or store-bought, you need an alternative to cooking. This one is made with #10 cans. Homemade Canned Heat Stove – Simply Prepared with CFD

** Everyone who is capable should know how to turn off the gas main in case of an earthquake. Take everyone out to look at the gas meter. Find the up and down valve. Demonstrate how they would turn the valve so that instead of up and down, it would turn sideways. Think go with the flow or stop the flow. That’s how I remember it. You should have a wrench or pliers actually attached to the meter so you won’t have to be searching for one. If your house is hit hard enough, you should do this as a precaution. Don’t use any candles, only flashlights, until you are sure your gas is not leaking. The last thing you need is to have your house blow up. That would be bad!!!

** Never feel bad if you find old food that has to be thrown away. Think of it like insurance. It brought you several years of peace of mind. Now, you have to re-up your policy. You pay for insurance every month and never have to use it….. and you are happy about not needing it and paying for it again next month. Just toss the old, and replace and don’t beat yourself up!

GARDEN HAPPENINGS:

This chart is a good guideline for container gardening. BUT, when I compared a 5 gallon grow bag, a 5 gallon pot from the agri-store, and a 5-gallon bucket, I found the 5-gallon bucket from Home Depot or Lowes to be much bigger. So I started buying the 7 gallon grow bags and found them to work much better. Some roots are shallow (like beans) and hardly go deep at all. Some are so deep (broccoli) that they will grow through the bottom of the bag if it is on dirt.

So, what’s happening in the garden??? All the tomatoes are planted! The peppers are still only about 2 inches high. Remember I had such a hard time starting them. They are up, just not growing very quickly. The cucumbers and butternut squash are hardened off. They go in the ground as soon as it stops raining. Broccoli is growing. Potatoes and carrots are growing. I had one bag of carrots spout nicely, and another not. So, I bought some carrot seed tape at the grocery store and thought I’d try it. It’s only been in about 5 days – not up yet. (I left the remaining seed tape on the counter and Craig promptly threw it away. )

I still have beans and zucchini to plant. They will go in as seeds. I just looked up today about planting zucchini in grow bags. For a vegetable that is supposed to be so easy to grow, I NEVER have good luck with it!!! It grows, and I usually get a few zucchini, but then I deal with powdery mildew and non-fertilization the rest of the hot summer! Try, try, try.

THIS WEEK’S PURCHASE: Rice

There are lots of different varieties of rice: basmati, brown, jasmine, long grain, short grain, Texmati, Whani or red rice. There are actually more than 7,000 varieties of rice.

Recommended amount is 1-#10 can (about 5 pounds) per person per month. Rice will store for a long time. If you have a dog, you can use rice to replace dog food in an emergency. Occasionally, mix plain cooked rice in with their food. If the time comes when you can no longer buy dog food, begin mixing cooked rice in with their food a little at a time as you use up the last bag of dog food. You can get cans of rice at the Home Storage Center.

MISC. PURCHASE: soap

FOOD STORAGE RECIPES:

Today’s recipes come from Preparedness Principles by Barbara Salsbury.

Italian Tuna Soup

2 cans tuna, drained, set aside

1 onion chopped or 1/2 c. dehydrated onion

1/2 tsp dry minced onion

    If using fresh onions and garlic, saute in 2 TB oil in a large saucepan.

1 can Italian-style tomatoes, undrained

1 can chicken broth

1 can cannellini beans

4 c. water

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp basil

1/2 tsp oregano

1/4 tsp rosemary

     Simmer tomatoes, broth, onion, garlic, beans, water, salt, and spices uncovered for 25 minutes.

Add tuna

1 can zucchini in Italian style tomato sauce – add and heat through. Sprinkle with parsley before serving.

Mexican Baked Beans

1/4 c. dehydrated onion

1 15-oz cans chili with beans

1 12-oz can whole kernel corn, drained

1 4 1/2-oz can chopped olives

1 c. shredded Velveeta*

1 15-oz package corn muffin mix

    Soak onions in a small cup of very hot water for 10-15 min. Drain. In a large skillet, mix onions, chili, corn, and olives. Bring to boiling. Add cheese and stir to melt. Add cheese and stir to melt. Pour into 8 X 11 inch baking dish. Prepare muffin mix according to package directions. If your package calls for eggs and you don’t have any, try just increasing the liquid by 2 TB per egg. Spoon dough over top of casserole. Bake 400˚ for 15-20 min. Serves 8

* Processed cheese like Velveeta will keep unopened for at least 6 months in your cupboard. Once the package is opened, it must be refrigerated and used promptly.

Tuna Rice Bake

1 1/2 c. uncooked instant rice

1 1/2 c. shredded processed cheese*

2 cans tuna, drained

2 TB parsley

2 TB minced onion

2 tsp dried mustard

dash pepper

    Mix together in a 2 quart casserole dish.

1 12-oz can evaporated milk

1/2 c. water

    Stir in. Sprinkle 1/2 c. shredded cheese on top. Cover and bake at 350˚ for 45 min. Serves 6.

Marti Shelley

March 25, 2024
Marti’s Corner – 143

Hi Everyone,

NOTES:

** I found this chart and thought it looked fun. Cross off the squares as you work on things:

** Planning on using Mylar bags? OR using jars but don’t have a vacuum sealer. This chart will help you know how many oxygen absorbers you’ll need.

** In case you’ve forgotten: On March 19, just a few days from the start of the Corona Virus Shutdown, the LDS Food Storage Center was out of food. Preparing your family is NOT the Church’s job. It’s yours. Just sayin’.

GARDEN HAPPENINGS:

** This gardener took 2 whole bananas, skin and all, and broke them apart and planted them under his tomato plant. Look what happened:  Just Bury Bananas in the Garden and This Happens

On another note, I have heard many gardeners swear by epsom salts and Tums (a good source of calcium for blossom end rot). I have about a dozen tomato plants to go in, and I think I’ll try all three.

I’ve already had to prune my plants

Watch this video for a really detailed discussion of pruning determinate and indeterminate tomatoes.  Pruning Tomatoes – A Complete Guide Confession: I thought this guy’s voice was so irritating it was hard to watch, but he has really good information.

And don’t forget to prune your roses:

THIS WEEK’S PURCHASE: Pancake Syrup and Jam

Recommended storage is 5 lb. per person per month. Maple syrup and jam can be considered part of that storage. Syrup has a pretty long shelf life. I think I’m using syrup that is at least 5-6 years old. I bought a gallon jug, and I’m refilling my smaller bottle with it each time. Think about how often you buy jam. Just get an extra one next time you’re at the store.

MISC. PURCHASE:  pain reliever medication

Next trip to the store, pick up a bottle of Tylenol, or whichever type of pain medication you use. Stick it under the sink and be prepared to rotate it when you run out.

Wanting to fight a virus??? Here are some good ideas to strengthen your immune system.

FOOD STORAGE RECIPES:

DIY Krispy Kreme Donuts

Have you bought Krispy Kreme donuts lately? They are my weakness! BUT…. they are over $2.00 per donut!

This recipe doesn’t use anything you don’t have on your pantry shelves.

1 c. milk – warm to lukewarm
2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (1 packet) – add and let sit 5 minutes until foamy

In a second large bowl add
2 eggs
1/3 c. sugar
Mix together until well combined. Add in the milk mixture, stir until incorporated.
4 c. flour
1/2 tsp salt
Add the flour and salt and mix until a dough forms.
1/3 c. soft unsalted butter – add and knead until the dough is smooth and elastic.

Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.

Roll out the dough to 1/2 inch thickness and cut out donut shapes using a donut cutter or two differently sized round cookie cutters.
Place the donuts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and let them rise for another 30 minutes.

Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or large pot to 350˚

Fry the donuts a few at a time until golden brown on both sides, about 1-2 minutes per side. Remove and drain on paper towels. Let the donuts cool slightly before glazing or coating with powdered sugar.

Beef Jerky

I have made beef jerky several times in my dehydrator. This recipe is made in the oven, which means anyone can do it. Beware of jerky recipes that have any kind of oil in the marinade. Oil does NOT dehydrate and you get an oily mess that will go rancid.

Even if you do not use oil, beef jerky is not a long-term storage item. The beef jerky you buy in the store has a shelf life of only about 6 months. This recipe suggests eating it within a few weeks. So, if you are planning any kind of an outdoor vacation or adventure, this would be a great thing to take along.1 3-pound eye of round roast, trimmed of fat and any silver skin. (At Winco, they have meat already sliced very thin. If you are slicing your own, put it in the freezer for 1-2 hours. It will be easier to cut.

This recipe is from onceuponachef.com

In a medium bowl, combine

1 c. dark brown sugar
1 c. soy sauce
3 TB Worcestershire sauce
1 TB smoked paprika
1 tsp unseasoned meat tenderizer (Meat tenderizer contains bromelain, an enzyme that breaks down meat tissue. You can find it in the spice section of the supermarket.
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp red pepper flakes (maybe not so much for me???)
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
Whisk to combine and let the sugar dissolve.
Add the meat to the marinade and toss until all of the pieces are evenly coated. Cover with plastic wrap, OR put it all in a zip lock bag and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 12 hours or overnight. Fip the bag, or toss the meat once or twice to marinate the meat evenly.

Line two baking sheets with aluminum foil. Place a wire rack over each pan. Preheat the oven to 175˚ and set the oven racks in the centermost positions.

Arrange the meat on the wire racks in a single layer. Bake, rotating the pans from front to back and top to bottom until the meat is dried out, 3-4 hours. To determine if the jerky is dried out, take a piece of the oven and let it cool to room temperature. It should be dry to the touch, leather like in appearance, and chewy but stil somewhat tender. Store in an airtight plastic container, Ziploc bag, or glass jar.

Hobo Casserole

I like this recipe because I can use my canned ground beef in place of fresh, and my dehydrated potatoes in place of fresh. I can also use freeze dried cheese. That makes everything shelf stable.

2-3 medium Russet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced. If you are using dehydrated potatoes, soak them in water for 20-30 minutes to rehydrate, then drain.
1 lb. ground beef, browned and drained
1/2 c. onion, diced (or use 1 large TB dehydrated onions rehydrated)
1 bell pepper diced (or 2 tsp dehydrated green peppers)
2 cloves garlic minced
Add 1/4 – 1/2 c. water to the beef and veggies if they seem dry.
In a small bowl, mix
1 can Cream of Mushroom soup
1 c. sour cream
salt and pepper to taste
In a greased 9 X 13
Layer the potatoes in two even layers on the bottom of the dish. Spoon the ground beef mix over.
Pour the soup mix over the ground beef and spread out evenly.
Sprinkle with cheddar cheese
Cover with tin foil
Bake 375˚ for 45-50 min.
Remove foil and sprinkle with french fried onions if desired.
Cook an additional 5 minutes until the onions are golden brown. Allow the casserole to cool for a few minutes.

Marti

March 21, 2024
Marti’s Corner – 141

Hi Everyone,

NOTES:

There are several sites where you can find information on preparedness. One is here: Temporal Preparedness Resources . You can find disaster plans for every area of the country.

Another is fema.gov Plan Ahead for Disasters

Locally, you can go to rivco.org (stands for Riverside County) Disaster Preparedness | County of Riverside Emergency Management Department There is good information there as well.

They all have this in common:

Start with a plan. Prepare food and necessities for a disaster. Make an emergency kit for evacuation OR for staying home. Teach your kids what to do. Practice with the family.

GARDEN HAPPENINGS:

We are inching toward our last frost date at my house. About 2 weeks to go. That means:

I can plant my broccoli, cauliflower and peas outside. IF there is a frost, it will not kill the plants, but I will probably cover them anyway. My tomatoes are 5-6 inches high, but will have to wait another 2 weeks at least. My goal is to have everything in the garden by the end of March, so I can get a crop before the summer heat sets in.

THIS WEEK’S PURCHASE: chicken

Boneless, skinless chicken breast is on sale at my local Winco store for $1.99 a pound. When chicken is this cheap (well, cheap by today’s standards), get a lot and can it.

Don’t want to can??? Then buy some already canned chicken. At $2.85 or so per can, it is pricey. MUCH cheaper to can your own.
Don’t have a canner? Don’t know how? Check around. I’m SURE there is someone in your vicinity who will help you! Otherwise, YouTube is your friend. Learning how to do this simple thing will save you so much money in the long run!

If you are used to using canned chicken, the chicken you can yourself is exactly the same, except that each pint jar equals about 1 pound of chicken.

MISC. PURCHASE: seeds

Even if you are NOT going to plant a garden, this is a good time to get seeds. Grab a packet of everything you MIGHT want to grow. Wrap a rubber band around them, put them in a sandwich bag, and throw them in the back of the Crisper. (Have you ever known anything actually to get crisper in the crisper???) Discount stores will usually discount their seeds. Think of it as insurance you hope you won’t need to use.

FOOD STORAGE RECIPES:

Using food storage powders in cooking:

Craig has been sick all week. I made him some chicken noodle soup–which as you know–makes everything better.

This made A LOT, and I was able to share it with a few friends.

8 c. chicken broth

2 c. cooked chicken diced (sometimes I use chicken breast browned and diced and sometimes I use canned chicken)

2 carrots chopped – I used dehydrated

2 stalks of celery chopped – I used dehydrated

1 onion chopped – I used dehydrated

1 c. noodles (I really like fettuccine noodles for this soup. I actually used about 1 1/2 c. I like noodles!)

1 TB minced garlic (less if that sounds like too much–but garlic is really good for colds)

1/4 tsp rosemary

1 tsp thyme

1/2 tsp black pepper

1/4 tsp turmeric powder (also good for you)

4 tsp salt

     Simmer until the veggies are fully rehydrated and cooked. Usually about 20 minutes for me.

It dawned on me that flour tortillas could be a great substitute for bread at all three meals. Who doesn’t like breakfast burritos???

My last attempt at tortilla making was interesting. Maybe I’ll have better luck with this recipe.

2 1/2 c. flour

1/2 c. Lard

1 c. room temp water

1 tsp salt

(909) How to make EASY FLOUR TORTILLAS from SCRATCH, The BEST Step BY Step Recipe, SECRET TIPS + MEAL PREP

Snickerdoodles

I like this recipe because it lets me use and rotate my shortening (which I don’t use very often).

1 c. shortening

1 1/2 c. sugar

     Cream together

2 eggs – add

1 tsp baking soda

2 tsp cream of tartar

1/2 tsp salt

     Add and mix

2 3/4 c. flour

  Mix and refrigerate 30 min.

Roll in 1 inch balls and then roll in cinnamon sugar mix. (I don’t measure this, I just put about 1/4 c. sugar in a small dish and add cinnamon until it looks good)

Place on parchment. Bake 375˚ for 8-10 min.

It’s getting crazy out there. Be safe. Pray. Be Prepared.

Marti Shelley

March 4, 2024